Another massive attack on Ukraine - at least one dead

According to a dpa reporter, heavy anti-aircraft fire could be heard over the capital at night, with clouds of smoke drifting over the city center. According to the Ukrainian air force, ballistic missiles were also used. According to media reports, explosions could be heard in the city. The military administration reported damage in at least three out of ten city districts. At least one woman was injured.

The online portal of the "Kyiv Independent" also reported injuries, citing information from the authorities. Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on Telegram about burning cars and falling debris on the grounds of a school.

In Odessa, three people were also injured in hospital as a result of the attacks, according to Mayor Hennady Trukhanov. The "Kyiv Independent" reported that a maternity clinic in the city had been damaged, among other things.

Record attack just one night earlier

Just the night before, according to information from Kiev, Russia had carried out the largest drone attack on neighboring Ukraine since the start of the war. According to the Ukrainian air force, 479 Shahed combat drones and their dummies, 4 Kinschal hypersonic missiles, 14 different cruise missiles and 2 Ch-31 air-to-ground missiles were used. "479 air targets were destroyed," the statement continued. The information cannot be verified independently. There were several casualties.

Jermak calls for a reaction

"Russia lies every day about its desire for peace and attacks people every day," wrote the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Andriy Yermak, on Telegram. Now is the time for sanctions and arms deliveries. "It is time for everyone to finally accept the fact that Russia only understands blows and not rational words." The Ukrainians cannot be broken.

Prisoner exchange begun

Shortly before the new attacks, Russia and Ukraine had begun another prisoner exchange. It was agreed at the beginning of June in Istanbul during direct negotiations between representatives of Kiev and Moscow. The first group of Russian soldiers under the age of 25 had been released from Ukrainian captivity, according to the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. In return, a similar number of prisoners were handed over to Ukraine. The ministry did not give an exact number. Kiev confirmed the exchange.

According to information from Moscow, the Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus and are receiving medical assistance there. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Platform X that further stages of the exchange should follow.

BND President warns of Russia's intentions

The President of the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Bruno Kahl, warns against underestimating Russia's intentions with regard to the West and NATO. "We are very certain and have intelligence evidence that Ukraine is just one step on the road to the West," said Kahl in the podcast Table.Today. "There are people in Moscow who no longer believe that Article 5 of NATO works. And they would like to test it." This article is at the heart of collective defense and regulates the duty to provide assistance in the event of an attack.

The aim of the Russian leadership is to extend its sphere of influence to the west. "They want to catapult Nato back to where it was at the end of the 1990s. They want to kick America out of Europe and they will use any means to achieve this," said Kahl. He warned: "You have to fight this at the outset." Deterrence is the "least bloody way" to prevent war.